Heat Exchanging Tube

ABSTRACT

A heat exchanging tube including a guiding tube and a fin module is disclosed. The guiding tube includes a channel forming two openings at two ends of the guiding tube. The fin module is arranged in the channel of the guiding tube and includes a partition. The partition has a first retaining edge and a second retaining edge. The first and second retaining edges are coupled with an inner wall of the guiding tube. The partition includes a first face and a second face between the first and second retaining edges. The first face includes a first fin unit and the second face includes a second fin unit. A first channel is formed between the first face of the partition and the inner wall of the guiding tube, and a second channel is formed between the second face of the partition and the inner wall of the guiding tube.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to a heat exchanging tube and, more particularly, to a heat exchanging tube that can be used for a fluid to flow therethrough.

2. Description of the Related Art

FIG. 1 shows a conventional heat exchanging tube 9 disclosed by Taiwan Patent No. M456683 entitled “cooling apparatus.” The heat exchanging tube 9 includes an outer tube 91 and an inner heat-conducting tube 92 arranged inside outer tube 91. A cooling space 93 is formed between outer tube 91 and inner heat-conducting tube 92 for receiving a heat-conducting cylinder 94 formed by fins in the form of continuous waves. An inner cooling unit 95 is formed inside inner heat-conducting tube 92. A plurality of cooling fins 96 is arranged in inner cooling unit 95. In this arrangement, when a high temperature fluid flows in heat exchanging tube 9, heat-conducting cylinder 94 is able to absorb heat from the fluid. The heat can be further transferred to inner cooling unit 95 in order to dissipate the heat via the plurality of cooling fins 96. Thus, a cooling effect is provided.

However, since heat exchanging tube 9 requires two hollow tubes (such as outer tube 91 and inner heat-conducting tube 92) and two fin units (such as heat-conducting cylinder 94 and cooling fins 96) to form two fluid channels (such as cooling space 93 and inner cooling unit 95), disadvantages such as larger component quantity, inconvenient assembly and high cost are resulted. Besides, since heat exchanging tube 9 relies on the fins of heat-conducting cylinder 94 to retain inner heat-conducting tube 92 in position inside outer tube 91, loosening of inner heat-conducting tube 92 can occur. The inner heat-conducting tube 92 can even disengage from outer tube 91. In light of this, it is necessary to improve the conventional heat exchanging tube 9.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore the objective of this invention to provide a heat exchanging tube that forms two channels by using only one guiding tube and one fin module.

It is another objective of this invention to provide a heat exchanging tube that ensures the fin module to be firmly coupled inside the guiding tube.

In an embodiment of the invention, a heat exchanging tube comprising a guiding tube and a fin module is disclosed. The guiding tube comprises a channel forming two openings at two ends of the guiding tube. The fin module is arranged in the channel of the guiding tube and comprises a partition. The partition has a first retaining edge and a second retaining edge. The first and second retaining edges are coupled with an inner wall of the guiding tube. The partition comprises a first face and a second face between the first and second retaining edges. The first face comprises a first fin unit and the second face comprises a second fin unit. A first channel is formed between the first face of the partition and the inner wall of the guiding tube, and a second channel is formed between the second face of the partition and the inner wall of the guiding tube.

In a form shown, the first fin unit is integrally formed with the first face of the partition and extends towards the inner wall of the guiding tube, and the second fin unit is integrally formed with the second face of the partition and extends towards the inner wall of the guiding tube.

In the form shown, the first fin unit is capable of being affixed to or removed from the first face of the partition and extends towards the inner wall of the guiding tube, and the second fin unit is capable of being affixed to or removed from the second face of the partition and extends towards the inner wall of the guiding tube.

In the form shown, each of the first and second fin units has a plurality of fins. Each of the plurality of fins of the first fin unit has a first abutting edge abutting with the inner wall of the guiding tube, and each of the plurality of fins of the second fin unit has a second abutting edge abutting with the inner wall of the guiding tube.

In the form shown, the first and second channels are isolated from each other.

In the form shown, the first fin unit has a plurality of fins parallel to and spaced from each other.

In the form shown, the second fin unit has a plurality of fins parallel to and spaced from each other.

In the form shown, the first fin unit has a plurality of fins, and the second fin unit has a plurality of fins having the same quantity as that of the plurality of fins of the first fin unit. Each of the plurality of fins of the first fin unit is aligned with a corresponding one of the plurality of fins of the second fin unit.

In the form shown, two opposing guiding grooves are formed on the inner wall of the guiding tube, and the first and second retaining edges are respectively engaged with the two guiding grooves.

In the form shown, each guiding groove forms a positioning portion adjacent to one of the two openings, and the first and second retaining edges of the partition are positioned on the positioning portions of the two guiding grooves.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given hereinafter and the accompanying drawings which are given by way of illustration only, and thus are not limitative of the present invention, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a top cross-sectional view of a conventional heat exchanging tube.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of a heat exchanging tube according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a top cross-sectional view of the heat exchanging tube of the preferred embodiment of the invention.

In the various figures of the drawings, the same numerals designate the same or similar parts. Furthermore, when the terms “first”, “second”, “third”, “fourth”, “inner”, “outer”, “top”, “bottom”, “front”, “rear” and similar terms are used hereinafter, it should be understood that these terms have reference only to the structure shown in the drawings as it would appear to a person viewing the drawings, and are utilized only to facilitate describing the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 2 and 3 show a heat exchanging tube according to an embodiment of the invention. The heat exchanging tube includes a guiding tube 1 and a fin module 2 arranged in guiding tube 1.

Guiding tube 1 includes a channel 11 which forms two openings 12 at two ends of guiding tube 1. Guiding tube 1 may be in the form of a hollow tube having any geometric shape allowing a fluid (gas or liquid) to flow therein, such as (but not limited to) a cylindrical shape, a polygonal shape, etc. Two opposing guiding grooves 13 may be formed on an inner wall of guiding tube 1. Each guiding groove 13 forms a positioning portion 131 adjacent to one of the two openings 12. Fin module 2 may be positioned on the positioning portions 131.

Fin module 2 is arranged in channel 11 of guiding tube 1 and includes a partition 21. Partition 21 includes a first retaining edge 211 and a second retaining edge 212. First and second retaining edges 211 and 212 are coupled with inner wall of guiding tube 1. In this regard, first and second retaining edges 211 and 212 may be respectively engaged with the two guiding grooves 13 and positioned by the two positioning portions 131 to provide convenient assembly. First and second retaining edges 211 and 212 may be coupled with inner wall of guiding tube 1 by way of (but not limited to) press fitting, welding, adhesion, abutment, etc. Partition 21 further includes a first face 21 a and a second face 21 b opposite to first face 21 a, with the first face 21 a and the second face 21 b located between first and second retaining edges 211 and 212. The first face 21 a includes a first fin unit 22 and the second face 21 b includes a second fin unit 23. In this arrangement, as shown in FIG. 3, a first channel S1 may be formed between first face 21 a of partition 21 and inner wall of guiding tube 1, and a second channel S2 may be formed between second face 21 b of partition 21 and inner wall of guiding tube 1. In this arrangement, first and second channels S1 and S2 are independent from each other so that the fluid can flow in different spaces to provide an improved heat exchanging effect.

Furthermore, first fin unit 22 may be integrally formed with first face 21 a and extend towards the inner wall of guiding tube 1, and second fin unit 23 may be integrally formed with second face 21 b and extend towards the inner wall of guiding tube 1. In this manner, convenient manufacturing and assembly are provided. Alternatively, first fin unit 22 may be affixed to or removed from first face 21 a (by way of engagement or screwing, for example) and extend towards inner wall of guiding tube 1, and second fin unit 23 may be affixed to or removed from second face 21 b (by way of engagement or screwing, for example) and extend towards inner wall of guiding tube 1. In this manner, replacement of first and second fin units 22 and 23 can be achieved. Moreover, as shown in FIG. 3, first fin unit 22 may have a plurality of fins parallel to and spaced from each other. Similarly, second fin unit 23 may also have a plurality of fins parallel to and spaced from each other. In addition, first fin unit 22 may have the same quantity of fins as that of second fin unit 23. In this regard, the fins of first fin unit 22 may be aligned with (or staggered from) those of second fin unit 23 to provide an even heat-conducting effect. Thus, an improved heat-exchanging effect can be attained.

Furthermore, each of the fins of the first fin unit 22 has a first abutting edge 221 and each of the fins of the second fin unit 23 has a second abutting edge 231. The first abutting edges 221 and the second abutting edges 231 of fin module 2 may abut with inner wall of guiding tube 1, so that the first and second abutting edges 221 and 231 can be used with first and second retaining edges 211 and 212 to provide an enhanced coupling effect between fin module 2 and guiding tube 1.

The heat exchanging tube of the embodiment of the invention may be installed in any kind of ventilation system during the use. In addition, the heat exchanging tube can also be used with any device, which is capable of providing an air-guiding function, to achieve the heat exchanging function. In such an arrangement, when the high temperature fluid flows through first channel S1 or second channel S2, first fin unit 22 or second fin unit 23 is able to absorb heat from the fluid. Thus, heat exchanging function can be provided by guiding tube 1. For example, when the heat exchanging tube is under heat exchange, one opening 12 may face outwards and the other opening 12 may face a heat space where heat is to be exchanged. In the situation, at least one fan can be arranged at either opening 12 to guide air such that the ambient air (or fluid) with relatively lower temperature is able to flow into the heat space via first channel S1. In this regard, the air (or fluid) with relatively higher temperature in the heat space is able to flow outwards via second channel S2. Meanwhile, first fin unit 22 and second fin unit 23 are able to exchange heat with the fluid to provide the desired ventilation and heat-exchanging effect.

The heat exchanging tube of the embodiment of the invention does not require two or more hollow tubes. Instead, the heat exchanging tube of the embodiment of the invention is able to form two channels (first channel Si and second channel S2) by using only one guiding tube 1 and one fin module 2. Thus, fewer components are used to achieve convenient assembly and reduce the cost. Furthermore, since fin module 2 can be firmly retained inside guiding tube 1 via first and second retaining edges 211 and 212 of partition 21, loosening or disengagement of fin module 2 can be prevented.

Although the invention has been described in detail with reference to its presently preferable embodiments, it will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention, as set forth in the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A heat exchanging tube comprising: a guiding tube having a channel, wherein the channel forms two openings at two ends of the guiding tube; and a fin module arranged in the channel of the guiding tube and including a partition, wherein the partition has a first retaining edge and a second retaining edge, wherein the first and second retaining edges are coupled with an inner wall of the guiding tube, wherein the partition comprises a first face and a second face between the first and second retaining edges, wherein the first face comprises a first fin unit and the second face comprises a second fin unit; wherein a first channel is formed between the first face of the partition and the inner wall of the guiding tube, and wherein a second channel is formed between the second face of the partition and the inner wall of the guiding tube.
 2. The heat exchanging tube as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first fin unit is integrally formed with the first face of the partition and extends towards the inner wall of the guiding tube, and wherein the second fin unit is integrally formed with the second face of the partition and extends towards the inner wall of the guiding tube.
 3. The heat exchanging tube as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first fin unit is capable of being affixed to or removed from the first face of the partition and extends towards the inner wall of the guiding tube, and wherein the second fin unit is capable of being affixed to or removed from the second face of the partition and extends towards the inner wall of the guiding tube.
 4. The heat exchanging tube as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the first and second fin units has a plurality of fins, wherein each of the plurality of fins of the first fin unit has a first abutting edge abutting with the inner wall of the guiding tube, and wherein each of the plurality of fins of the second fin unit has a second abutting edge abutting with the inner wall of the guiding tube.
 5. The heat exchanging tube as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first and second channels are isolated from each other.
 6. The heat exchanging tube as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first fin unit has a plurality of fins parallel to and spaced from each other.
 7. The heat exchanging tube as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second fin unit has a plurality of fins parallel to and spaced from each other.
 8. The heat exchanging tube as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first fin unit has a plurality of fins, wherein the second fin unit has a plurality of fins having the same quantity as that of the plurality of fins of the first fin unit, and wherein each of the plurality of fins of the first fin unit is aligned with a corresponding one of the plurality of fins of the second fin unit.
 9. The heat exchanging tube as claimed in claim 1, wherein two opposing guiding grooves are formed on the inner wall of the guiding tube, and wherein the first and second retaining edges are respectively engaged with the two guiding grooves.
 10. The heat exchanging tube as claimed in claim 9, wherein each guiding groove forms a positioning portion adjacent to one of the two openings, and wherein the first and second retaining edges of the partition are positioned on the positioning portions of the two guiding grooves. 